From stones and thistles to international cricket ground: The Basin Reserve's history recognised

Cricket Wellington is celebrating 150 years at its famous Basin Reserve ground with an exhibition of past glories and milestones.

An installation of 45 photos of big moments at the Basin has been erected, encircling the ground.

The photos show some of the greats of the game in action, historic international victories and also illustrate the impact of cricket on the Wellington community.

The Wellington Cricket Association, now known as Cricket Wellington, was formed in 1875/76, when representatives from seven local clubs came together.

The first cricket match at the Basin was earlier, in January 1868, though a match report unflatteringly noted: "The ground was nothing like Lords… stones and thistles prevailed to the detriment of hands and fingers and at the close of day the ball looked like it had smallpox."

Cricket Wellington CEO Todd Bryant said the Basin represented the heart of the sport and its people in the capital.

"It's quite fitting then that these images wrap right around the Basin, just as the blood keeps the heart pumping, it's the people that keep cricket in Wellington alive. But the Basin is not only at the heart of cricket in the region, it's also at the heart of Wellington and that's why this 150th anniversary celebration is also a celebration of the Wellington region."

Bryant said that while the Basin has seen momentous milestones achieved by stars of the game including Stewie Dempster, J R Reid, Trish McKelvey, Bob Blair, Sir Richard Hadlee, Martin Crowe, Brendon McCullum, Sophie Devine and Melie Kerr, the Moments and Milestones exhibition celebrates all cricketers and those who have made the game possible over the past 150 years.

The exhibition will run until April and is one of several events planned to celebrate the milestone throughout the 2026/27 summer.

Bryant said they would also launch a 12-part video series telling stories from across Wellington cricket, from community cricket and clubs through to pathways, past players and high performance.

"We're also producing a 150th anniversary book, which will provide another opportunity to capture and preserve the people, stories and moments that have shaped Wellington cricket."

The major formal celebration would be the 150th anniversary dinner at Parliament on 17 November, with current and former players, volunteers, administrators, members, partners and supporters from across generations of Wellington cricket attending. Former New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney will be guest speaker.

The Basin hosted its first Test in 1930, resulting in a draw between England and New Zealand. One of Wellington's most famous cricketers, Stewie Dempster, scored New Zealand's first Test century, in an innings of 136.

In 1948, New Zealand and Australia played the first women's Test at the Basin Reserve - it was just the second Test ever for the New Zealand women's side.

The Basin has seen its share of controversies, one of them off the pitch when the New Zealand Transport Agency proposed a $90 million two-lane overbridge, which would have been 20 metres from the cricket ground.

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